Remember this post about slotting for rookie contracts? Well, we're going to do the same thing but backwards. Now that most of the players have signed and are in camp, we're going to look at the contracts signed by each Chargers rookie and see if it's matches up to that slot.
After the jump, find out if the Chargers overpaid or underpaid their 2009 rookies.
Larry English - 5 years, $13.4 million; $9.9 million guaranteedSurrounding picks: Josh Freeman, picked one spot after English, signed for 5 years and $36 million, but QBs make a ton more money so that doesn't count. The pick right before Larry, Brian Cushing, signed for 5 years and $14 million ($10.435 mil guaranteed). Washington signed the 13th pick, Brian Orakpo, for 5 years and $20 million.
Value: If this isn't exactly where English's value should be, it's a little bit below. The Chargers did not overpay.
Louis Vasquez - 4 years, $2.55 million; $800,000 signing bonus
Surrounding picks: The pick following Vasquez, Kraig Urbik, signed with the Steelers for 3 years and $1.778 million ($593 signing bonus). It's slightly less per year, and a smaller signing bonus, but he'll be able to renegotiate sooner. The other picks following Vasquez all signed for 4 years and roughly $2.5 million with a signing bonus of about $750,000.
Value: Dead on, although I bet Vasquez's agent would've liked to get a 3 year deal. With the potential to be a starter in year 1 and a centerpiece of the line by year 3, renegotiating earlier would've made Louis a richer man. Although the value is dead on for this spot, I think getting a potential starter in the 3rd round and signing him to a 4 year deal equals a tremendous value for the team. I'll say they underpaid.
Vaughn Martin - 4 years, $2.236 million; $486,000 signing bonus
Surrounding picks: The pick before Martin, Glover Quin, signed with the Texans for 4 years and $2.24 million ($490,000 signing bonus). Kyle Moore, a Defensive End drafted four picks after Martin, signed with Tampa Bay for 4 years and $2.225 million ($475,985 signing bonus).
Value: Right on. Slotting works again.
Tyronne Green - 4 years, $2.151 million; $401,000 signing bonus
Gartrell Johnson - 4 years, $2.15 million; $400,000 signing bonus
Surrounding picks: I'm doing these guys together because they were drafted back-to-back with picks 133 and 134. Also, how funny is it that Green gets just a little bit more for being drafted first? The Chargers knew these were the two guys that they wanted and they decided to pick Green first, knowing he'd get paid more. That's probably a good sign for Green's future with the team.
Anyways, the picks around them. Seth Olsen, draft right before Green, signed with Denver for 4 years and $2.164 million ($414,120 signing bonus). Troy Kropog, drafted after Johnson, signed with the Titans for 4 years and $2.55 million ($405,000 signing bonus).
Value: It's not highway robbery, but it's a great value. Underpaid.
Brandon Hughes - 4 years, $1.936 million; $186,650 signing bonus
Surrounding picks: Nic Harris, a Safety that was picked right before Hughes, signed with the Bills for 4 years and $1.93 million ($189,000 signing bonus). That kindof evens out because of the higher signing bonus. Rhett Bomar, a QB drafted after Hughes by the Giants, signed for 4 years and $1.935 million ($185,200 signing bonus).
Value: I'm surprised, because he was signed so early, but the value is right on the money.
Kevin Ellison - 4 years, $1.85 million; $101,000 signing bonus
Surrounding Picks: Brice McCain, picked just before Ellison, signed with the Texans for 4 years and $1.851 million ($101,750 signing bonus). Safety Al Afalava, picked just after Ellison, signed with the Bears for 4 years and $1.85 million ($100,600 signing bonus).
Value: This one is right on and was easily slotted. It was foolish that negotiations went on as long as they did.
Do you have any thoughts about Bolts From The Blue? Any tips you want to send our way? Whenever you have something to say, don't hesitate to e-mail me directly.